Device for application of force

ABSTRACT

A device or adaptor for transmitting force between load supporting structure and a load cell including a first member which rests on the load cell and a second member connected to the load supporting structure with the two members being interconnected by at least three force transmitting elements such that side loading forces applied to the load supporting surface permits the two members to move relative to each other thereby to isolate the load cell from the side loading. Upon removal of the side loading the two members automatically return to their original positions. Provision is also made to compensate for shock loads or overloads through the use of resilient elements incorporated in the device.

Dudenhausen ..7 3/ 141 A United States Patent 11 1 1111] 3,736,998Flinth et al. [451 June 5, 1973 54] DEVICE FOR APPLICATION OF 3,587,7616 1971 Merriam et a1. ..177 255 x FORCE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS[75] Inventors: Rune Nils Allan Flinth; Kjell Helge Nordst'mm, both fvasteras, 225,209 2/1969 Sweden ..177 211 Sweden 1 582,406 9/1959 Canada073/141 A 645,845 ll/1950 Great Britain ..73/l4l A [73] Assignee:Safelink AB, Vasteras, Sweden p 20, Primary ExaminerGe0rge Miller, Jr.

Attorney-Yount & Tarolli [21] Appl. No.: 135,622

[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Appncfion Priority Data A device or adaptorfor transmitting force between May 5,1970 Sweden ..6l68/70 loadsupporting Structure and a load Cell including a first member whichrests on the load cell and a second 52 us. 01 ..177 187, 177/255 memberconnected to the lead Supporting Structure '51 Int. Cl. ..G0lg 21/10with the two members being interconnected y at least [58] Field ofSearch ..l77/208-21 1, 255', 187-189; three force transmitting elementssuch that side load- I 6 73/141 A ing forces applied to the loadsupporting surface permits the two members to move relative to eachother [56] References Cited thereby to isolate the load cell from theside loading. Upon removal of the side loading the two members UNITEDvSTATES PATENTS automatically return to their original positions. Provi-3,407,s91 10/1968 Wergand ..177/255 sion is s made to compensate forshoek loads or 3,237,450 3/1966 Brooks overloads through the use ofresilient elements incor- 3,5l2,595 5/1970 Laimins... porated in thedevice. 2,472,047 5/1949 Ruge 1 2,866,333 12/1958 22 Claims, 22 DrawingFigures Patented June 5, 1973 3 Shuts-Shoot 1 Patented June 5, 19733,736,998

3 Shuts-Shut. 3

DEVICE FOR APPLICATION OF FORCE This invention relates to a device forapplying forces from a load carrier to various types of load sensingmeans such as load cells.

Although the invention will be described with particular reference toweighing scales such as platform scales, it will be appreciated that theinvention has broader application and may be employed with other typesof scales such as container scales, crane scales, roller conveyor scalesand trucks or hoppers with builtin scales as well as in any otherapplication in which load cells are used as the weight/force sensingdevice.

The desirability of minimizing side loading on a load cell has long beenrecognized and various approaches have been tried to achieve that end.For example, it is known that the influence from side loads on a loadcell can be decreased by'the use of roller or ball bearing units orsliding plates with a low coefficient offriction between the load celland the load supporting surface or between the load cell and thefoundation on which it rests; Another approach would be to apply aspherical support at both ends of the load cell so that the load cellcan tilt when subjected to the side loading; however, in certainapplications, due to, for example, temperature expansion of the loadcarrier, the angular displacement of the load cell becomes so great thatthe measiiring accuracy of the cell is-affected and the force thattheload cell measures is not a true indicator of the actual load. The sameproblem arises when the load forth, all of which are intended towithstand the side loads. However, since side loading may result fromvarious conditions and may vary widely in magnitude, these prior artarrangements, of necessity, have been constructed to withstand a widerange of side loads. As a result, the bending forces and/or frictionlosses inherent in these arrangements have had a material influence onthe load sensing characteristics of the load cell.

Moreover, the deflection of prior art arrangements such as flexuremembers or stay rods, has not been constant but rather, exhibitsnon-linear characteristics depending on several factors. For example, adifferential in deflection may result from varying the location of agiven load on the load supporting surface. Moreover, where the loadsensing'device is incorporated in a mobile unit such as a truck, thesurface on which the load is supported may be uneven and the frame ofthe truck may be twisted thereby affecting the position of the points ofattachment of the flexure members in the vertical plane. Variations suchas these cause a nonlinear variation of the load losses and an erroneousindication by the scale system.

Another substantial problem incurred where flexure members are employedis the difficult and time consuming task of mounting the members in anabsolutely horizontal plane. If any one of the members deviate from thehorizontal by even a small amount, this deviation immediately affectsthe entire system.

A further approach that has been employed by the prior art is to place arubber or resilient element between the load supporting member and theload cell with the rubber element being, to some extent, elastic in thehorizontal direction whereby side deflection of the load supportingmember is absorbed by shear deformation in the rubber element.Horizontal movement is limited by stops in the foundation. Onedisadvantage of using a rubber element is that it inherently deflectsunder loads and in many applications this can not be tolerated.Moreover, applications in which rubber elements may be used are limitedby the fact that, to increase the shear deformation, the element must bemade of a softer rubber which, in turn, increases the deflection of theelement in the load direction. As a result, from a practical point ofview, only rubber elements which deflect under a relatively high shearloading can be utilized thereby limiting this arrangement to a very fewtypes of load cells which can accept large side loads during theweighing operation.

It is the principal object of this invention to. provide an improveddevice for the application of force from a load supporting surface toaload cell and which overcomes the aforementioned problems.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a device foruse in force or load measuring systems which eliminates undesirable sideloads on the load cells.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a load sensingsystem which includesresilient means for eliminating the adverse affectsof shock loads or overloads in the measuring direction.

In accordance with the principles of this invention, the force applyingdevice comprises a force applying member, a force receiving member, andforce transmitting elements connecting the two members. The forcereceiving member is adapted to rest on a load cell and swingably supportthe force applying member by the force transmitting elements. The forcetransmitting elements are so dimensioned and arranged that, uponapplication of side loads on the force applying member it is free tomove with respect to the force receiving member and the load cellthereby substantially isolating the load cell from the side loading.When the side load is removed, the force applying member automaticallyreturns to its original position. In addition, spring elementsdeflectable in the measuring direction may be incorporated in the deviceso that adverse affects from shock loads and overload conditions in themeasuring form is supported on the force applying members and istherefore free to move in all directions. Side loading, whether fromdynamic forces or from expansion or contraction due to temperaturevariations, which cause movement of the platform and the force applyingmembers, is substantially isolated from the loadcell by the shifting,swinging movement of the force applying members relative to the forcereceiving members. When the side loading has ceased, each of the forceapplying devices centers the load supporting member whereby undisturbedweighing of the load may be obtained. r

One particular advantage of the invention is that the system accuracy ofan electronic scale in which the force applying devices are incorporatedwill be determined only by the accuracy of the units themselves and willnot be affected by errors in the installation process. This makes itpossible to construct and test the scale system at the factory and makesuch final calibrations or adjustments as may be required, after whichthe complete scale can be disassembled and reconstructed on site withoutthe need for further tests or calibration. As a result, installationtime and costs are reduced and the need for specialists at theconstruction site is eliminated.

A further significant advantage of the device is its ability towithstand temperature variations without affecting the accuracy of theload cell or the weighing system.

Additional advantages, among others, of the force applying device andthe system using such a device are the compact design, low manufacturingcost and ease of installation obtainable.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicatelike parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a force applying device or adapterconstructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. la is a sectional view taken along line 1a-1a of FIG. 1:

FIG. lb is a top plan view of the force applying device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2, 2a, 3 and 3a are schematic illustrations of the manner in whichside loads are accommodated by the device;

FIG. 4 illustrates the displacement of the force transmitting elementsunder side loading and FIG. 4a is a force diagram illustrating therelatively small component of the side load transmitted by the forcetransmitting element of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 5 through 9 illustrate alternative forms of force transmittingelements which may be utilized in the force applying device;

FIGS. 10 through 14 schematically illustrate various arrangements ofresilient elements which may be incor-' porated in the device foroverload protection;

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are schematic illustrations of the force applyingdevices as they may be installed in a platform scale and illustrate anormal weighing condition, a side load condition and an overloadcondition, respectively.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a forceapplying device or adapter constructed in accordance wit the principlesof this invention and indicated generally by the reference A. The forceapplying device is illustrated in combination with a load cell I mountedon a base 2 which, in turn, is supported on a foundation 3. As shown,the load cell 1 and the force applying device A are received in a recessin a load supporting member or carrier 4 on which the force F which isto be measured is applied.

The load cell 1 may be any conventional load cell, the details of whichform no part of this invention.

Referring now to the force applying device or adapter A, there isprovided a force applying member or plate 5 which, as shown in FIG. 1,is attached to the lower surface of the load supporting member 4. Theforce applying member 5 has a central opening 6 which permits it to beassembled with the load cell 1 in the opening. Equally spaced around theperiphery of the opening 6 are three pins 7 which are carried by theforce applying member 5 and which project radially into the opening 6.

Associated with each pin 7 is a force transmitting elementor link 8.These force transmitting elements have apertures 8a at their lower endsin which the pins 7 are received. The links 8 also have openings 8b intheir upper ends in which pins 10 carried by a horizontal forcereceiving member or plate 9 are received. The force receiving member 9is supported in its horizontal position on a spherical load applicationpoint 1a of the load cell 1, and is centered on the load cell by arecess in the bottom of a center screw 11.

It is to be noted that each of the openings 8a, 8b has a diameter whichis larger than the diameter of the corresponding pins 7, 10 so that asubstantially frictionless joint is established between each link 8 andits associated pins. In addition, the pins 7, 10 are generallycylindrical in configuration with a concave axial cross section and theperiphery of the openings 8a, 8b are beveled or rounded so that thecontact surface of the link rolls in a substantially frictionless manneron the contacting surface of the pin upon shifting movement of the linkas shown in FIG. 4.

The centering screw 11, being threadedly received in the force receivingmember 9, allows a simple adjustment to vary the position of the forcereceiving member 9 and thereby position the pins 7 and 10 in theirrespective openings in links 8 in the manner as shown in FIG. la. Inthis position, the load supporting member 4 is supported on the loadapplication point la of load cell 1.

FIGS. 2 and 2a illustrate the position of the elements comprising theforce applying device when the device is in its normal weighingposition. As there shown, the force applying member 5 is centered withrespect to the load cell 1 and the links 8 are in asubstantiallyvertical position parallel to the measuring direction of the load cellso that the force F applied to carrier 4 will be transmitted to the loadcell in the desired measuring direction.

In FIGS. 3 and 3a the condition of the force applying device when it issubjected to' a side load F, is illustrated. It will be noted that theforce applying member 5 has moved sideways to a position where itcontacts the base 2 of the load cell 1 and the links 8 have beendisplaced by an angle a from the vertical position which they hadoccupied in FIG. 2a. The magnitude of the side loading that istransmitted to the load cell by the side load F, is dependent on theslope or angle of the links 8 and therefore can be controlled to anacceptable value by selecting the appropriate clearance which theopening 6 in the force receiving member 5 has with respect to the base2, and the length of the links 8. This relationship is illustrated inthe force diagram shown in FIG. 4a. The maximum side load F to which theload cells may be subjected may be calculated as follows:

lier ont) 7 Since, for small angles, tana is approximately equal tosina, the relationship may be expressed as:

loor m) ur!) where S is maximum possible horizontal movement, and L iseffective length of the link.

It will be apparent that, by establishing the maximum permissible sideload for the load cell, the length of links 8 and the size of opening 6may be selected to assure that the value of F does not exceed thedesired value. Side loads which would exceed the permissible level areprevented by the blocking engagement of member 5 against base 2.

When the side load force F, is removed, the force ap plyingmember5'will'automatically, through the force of gravity, swing back to thecentered weighing position shown in FIG. 2a.

It is to be understood that, in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a,the load sensed by the load cell may not be an accurate indication ofthe force F due to the frictional forces resulting from the frictionalengagement of member 6 with base 2 and which act in the measuringdirection. However, it is to be noted that the device is effective inall positions except the extreme position shown in FIG. 3. For example,temperature variations may cause member 5 to shift to a positioneccentric to load cell 1 and remain in that position for an interimperiod. However, so long as member 5 is spaced from base 2, the devicewill be operative to sense the magnitude of the force F. force elmelements The force transmitting elements or links shown in theembodiment of FIG. 1 are merely exemplary of the force transmittingelementsthat may be used. Other suitable force transmitting elements 8are shown in FIGS. 5 through 9. FIG. 5 shows the use of a cylindrical vbar which is connected at its opposite ends to spherical axial bearings13 which permit the relative movement of the members 5 and 9. FIG. 6shows a design in which pins similar to the pins 7 and of FIG. 1 areemployed but in which spherical radial bearings 14 are used toaccommodate the shifting movement. FIG. 7 illustrates force transmittingelements in the form of metal rods which are fixedly attached to themembers 5 and 9 with the fore transmitting elements being deformablesuch that when the member 5 moves relative to the member 9, the forcetransmitting elements 8 are elastically deformed to a generally s-shapedconfiguration. With this arrangement, the return of the force applyingmember 5 to its centered position is, in addition to gravitationalforces, assisted by the elastic nature of the deformation of theelements 8. With the embodiment of FIG. 7, the magnitude of thisadditional centering force can be chosen by varying the length anddiameter of the force transmitting elements 8.

FIG. 8 illustrates the use'of a steel cable or rope which is attached ateither end to the members 5 and 9. The low resistance to bending of thecable makes the arrangement of FIG. 8 much more susceptible todeflection under side loading than, for example, the design shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a still further modified form of force transmittingelements and comprises links supporting at either end adjustable screws17 having spherical contactpoints which are received in recessedsurfaces 18 of both the members 5 and 9. By adjusting the threadedscrews 17 the effective length of the links may be varied.

Each of the arrangements shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 5through 9 provides a means for controlling the adverse effects of sideloading on the load cell 1. In addition, it frequently is desirable toprovide protection for the load cell against overloading in themeasuring direction. There is illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 threealternative means of providing such overload protection.

In FIG. 10 a resilient element 15 which, for example, may be a rubberelement, a pre-stressed spring or other non-linear compressible member,is interposed between the load supporting member 4 and the forceapplying member 5. In addition, a stop 16 is positioned to be engaged bythe load supporting member 4 in an extreme position of its path oftravel in the measuring direction. With this arrangement, the magnitudeof the load imposed on'the load cell 1 can be controlled by thedeflection of theresilient element 15 and the presenee of the stop 16.During normal operation, the load on the load supporting member 4 wouldbe transferred through the resilient element 15 to the force applyingmember 5. However, upon the presence of an overload sufficient inmagnitude to cause non-linear compression of the resilient member 15,the load carrying member 4 would move downward into engagement with thestop 16 which, in turn, would support the load supporting member 4 andisolate the load cell from any further loading.

In FIG. 11, the resilientor spring element 15 has been positionedbeneath the base 2 of the load cell 1. During normal operation of theembodiment of FIG. 11, the resilient element 15 would function as asubstantially rigid support but upon the presence of an overload, theresilient element 15 would be compressed and the entire assembly wouldmove downward until the force applying member 5 rests on the stop 16.

In FIG. 12 the resilient element has been incorporated in the forcetransmitting elements 8..During normal operation of this embodiment, theforce transmitting elements 8 function as a substantially rigid link butupon the presence of an overload would deflect thereby enabling the loadsupporting member 4 to move down into engagement with the stop 16.

The operation of the overload protection unit is schematicallyillustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. In FIG. 13 the load on the loadsupporting member 4 is within acceptable limits and the resilient member15 is just slightly compressed so that the entire force is transmittedto the load cell 1. However, in FIG. 14 an overload condition isillustrated which has caused further compression of the resilient member15 and downward movement of the load carrying member 4 into engagementwith the stop 16. It is to be understood that although an overload forceis applied to the load supporting member 4, the load transmitted to loadcell 1 is within acceptable limits since the excess load is dissipatedin compressing the resilient member 15 and moving the load carrier 4down into engagement with. the stop 16. Thereafter, the load and theload supporting member 4 are supported by the stop 16 until the overloadis removed whereupon the resilient elements 15 would expand back to theposition shown in FIG. 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 through 17, a specific application of theforce applying devices heretofore described is illustrated in a truck orplatform scale and wherein the platform is supported on the load cellsby devices of the type illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13. In FIG. 15 thescale is in the normal weighing position and all forces are transmittedto the load cells in a normal load measuring direction. FIG. 16illustrates the condition of an external side load F, being imposedonthe scale. The side loading may be caused, for example, by braking ofthe truck on the scale. As described above, the side loading forcesshift the force applying members 5 for each of the force applyingdevices laterally whereby at least one member 5 assures an eccentricposition in engagement with the base 2 of its associated load cell 1. Bythe above described angular displacement of the force transmittingelements 8, the magnitude of the side loads transmitted to the loadcells has been controlled to an acceptable small value. When the sideload force F, has ceased to act, the gravitational forces acting on theforce applying members cause them to return automatically to theiroriginal positions.

FIG. 17 illustrates an overload condition imposed by an overload forceF,. In this condition, the load F is causing the resilient element to becompressed and the entire load supporting platform 4 to move downwarduntil it rests on the stops 16. After the overload has been removed, theexpansion of the resilient elements 15 returns the scale back to theposition shown in FIG. 15.

Each of the above-described embodiments of the force applying deviceutilizes three force transmitting elements 8 and this is the preferredarrangement. With three force transmitting members, there is theadvantage that the load distribution between the three members isstatically defined. Moreover, eccentric loading of the load cell iseliminated even upon side loading due to the parallel shifting motion ofthe force applying members 5. With fewer than three force transmittingelements, the desired parallel motion is not assured and with more thanthree force transmitting members the load distribution between themembers is not statically defined. Nonetheless, in some applications, itmay be permissible to vary the number of the force transmittingelements.

While certain specific embodiments of the invention have been describedand illustrated, it is not intended that the illustrated embodiments orthe terminology employed in describing them is to be limiting; rather,it is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A load sensing system comprising,

a load cell operative to sense loads applied in a load measuringdirection,

a load carrier,

a force applying member resting on and supported only by said load cellfor applying forces to said load cell,

a plurality of elongated force transmitting elements each having alongitudinal axis extending generally parallel to said load measuringdirection, said force transmitting elements supporting and operativelyconnecting said load carrier to said force applying member fortransmitting the loads on said load carrier to said load cell in saidmeasuring direction,

means for permitting swinging movement of said force transmittingelements relative to said load cell and movement of said load carrier ina direction generally transverse to said load measuring direction, andstop means for restricting the range of movement of said load carrier insaid transverse direction.

2. The load sensing system of claim 1 and further including resilientmeans operatively associated with said load carrier and deflectable insaid load measuring direction continuously or when the loads on saidload carrier exceed a predetermined level, and

additional stop means for restricting the range of movement of said loadcarrier in said load measuring direction.

3. The load sensing system of claim 1 wherein said force membercomprises,

a plate member supported on said load cell,

said plurality of elongated force transmitting elements each beingconnected at one end to said plate member, and

means operatively connecting the other ends of said elements to saidload carrier,

at least portions of said elements being movable relative to said platemember as the load carrier moves in said transverse direction. 4. Theload sensing system of claim 1 wherein said force member comprises afirst plate member supported on said load cell,

said load carrier comprising a second plate member with said first andsecond members lying in generally parallel spaced planes and whichextend generally transverse to said load measuring direction,

said plurality, of elongated force transmitting elements extendingbetween said first and second members, and

said means for permitting swinging movement includes meansinterconnecting each of said elements with said first and second memberswhereby said second member is shiftable in said transverse direction.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said means interconnecting saidelements with said members comprises pin means on each of said membersand apertures in said elements in which said pin means are received.

6. The load sensing system of claim 4 wherein said transmitting elementscomprise steel cables.

7. The load sensing system of claim 4 wherein said transmitting elementscomprise elongated rods fixedly attached to said members,

each of said rods having length and thickness such that the rods arerelatively readily elastically deformable transverse to the longitudinalaxis thereof.

8. The load sensing system of claim 4 wherein said transmitting elementsinclude oppositely directed spherical screw points in bearing engagementwith said members.

9. The load sensing system of claim 4 wherein one of said membersincludes means for adjustably varying the distance between said members.

10. The system of claim 4 and further including a base supporting saidload cell,

said second member having a central opening formed therein with saidbase being positioned in said central opening,

said central opening being of a dimension such that the walls thereofare spaced from said' base.

11. The system of claim 4 wherein said second member includes a centralopening formed therein,

said stop means being positioned in said opening and spaced from thewalls thereof,

the clearance defined by the space between said stop means and the wallsof the opening and the length of said transmission elements beingselected to permit said second member to shift transverse to said loadmeasuring direction into engagement with said stop means while thetransverse component of the load transmitted by said elements to saidfirst member is within a predetermined limit. 12. The system of claim 4wherein said plurality of transmitting elements comprises three elementsspaced around said load cell.

13. The system of claim 4 wherein said interconnecting means comprisesapivotable connection between said members and said elements.

14. The load sensing system of claim 13 wherein said connecting meansfor said transmitting elements comprises pivotable bearing means.

15. The load sensing system of claim 4 and further including resilientmeans operatively associated with said load carrier and deflectable insaid load measuring direction continuously or when the loads on saidload carrier exceed a predetermined level, and

additional stop means for restricting the range of movement of said loadcarrier in said load measuring direction.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said load carrier further comprises aload carrying platform and wherein said resilient means is positionedbetween said second member and said load carrying platform.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said resilient means is positioned tosupport said load cell;

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said elements include said resilientmeans.

19. A load. cell adapter for use in a weighing system of the type havinga load carrier such as a weigh platform or the like and in which theload carrier is supported on a plurality of spaced apart load cells ofthe type having a load application point to which loads are applied in aload measuring direction, said adapter comprising; I

a first member adapted to engage the load application point of a loadcell, a second member adapted to be operatively associated with the loadcarrier, at least three elongated force transmitting elements eachhaving a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the load measuringdirection, means connecting said first member to said force transmittingelements, and means connecting said second member to said forcetransmitting elements, said force transmitting elements and saidconnection means being adapted to cooperate to permit movement of saidforce transmitting elements and one of said members relative to theother member in a direction generally transverse to the load measuringdirection whereby the load cell adapter associated with'a load cell in aweighing system is operative to permit shifting movement of the loadcarrier transverse to the load measuring direction without imposingharmful side loads on the load cell and to automatically return the loadcarrier to a centered position.

20. A load sensing system comprising,

base means,

a load carrier,

a plurality of load cells supported on said base means and each beingoperative to sense loads applied in a load measuring direction, andadapter means associated with each of said load cells and supportingsaid load carrier on said load cells,

each of said adapter means including:

a first member in engagement with said load cell,

a second member spaced in the measuring direction from said first memberand lying in a plane generally parallel to said first member,

a plurality of elongated force transmitting elements connected to saidmembers with the longitudinal axis of each of said force transmittingelements being generally parallel to said loading measuring direction,

the engagement with said load cell and the connection with said forcetransmitting elements providing the sole support for said first member,

said force transmitting elements being operative to permit swingingmovement of one of said members relative to the other of said memberswhile maintaining the generally parallel relationship of said memberswhereby said load carrier may move in directions generally transverse tosaid load measuring direction as transverse forces are applied tosaidload carrier without imposing harmful sideloads on said load cellwith said adapter means being operative to automatically return saidload carrier to be centered weighing position when the transverse forcesacting on said load carrier disappear. 21. A load sensing system of thetype having a generally horizontally positioned load carrier adapted forsupporting loads for weighing thereon, base means and a plurality ofload sensing means supporting said load carrier at a plurality of spacedlocations on said base means and operative to sense the loads on saidcarrier, the improvement comprising:

each of said load sensing means including:

a load cell supported on said base means operative I to sense loadsapplied in a vertical load measuring direction;

a horizontally arranged force member resting on said load cell forapplying loads to said load cell in said load measuringv direction, and

means operatively connecting said force member to said load carrier fortransmitting loads on said carrier to said load cell;

said connecting means including 'a plurality of elongated forcetransmitting elements each having a longitudinal axis generally parallelto said measuring direction and swingable relative to said load' cellwhile maintaining the horizontal orientation of said force memberwhereby movements of said load carrier under forces acting transverse tosaid load measuring direction cause said force transmitting elements toswing relative to said load cell without imposing harmful transmittingelements and said force members.

a s a a a

1. A load sensing system comprising, a load cell operative to senseloads applied in a load measuring direction, a load carrier, a forceapplying member resting on and supported only by said load cell forapplying forces to said load cell, a plurality of elongated forcetransmitting elements each having a longitudinal axis extendinggenerally parallel to said load measuring direction, said forcetransmitting elements supporting and operatively connecting said loadcarrier to said force applying member for transmitting the loads on saidload carrier to said load cell in said measuring direction, means forpermitting swinging movement of said force transmitting elementsrelative to said load cell and movement of said load carrier in adirection generally transverse to said load measuring direction, andstop means for restricting the range of movement of said load carrier insaid transverse direction.
 2. The load sensing system of claim 1 andfurther including resilient means operatively associated with said loadcarrier and deflectable in said load measuring direction continuously orwhen the loads on said load carrier exceed a predetermined level, andadditional stop means for restricting the range of movement of said loadcarrier in said load measuring direction.
 3. The load sensing system ofclaim 1 wherein said force member comprises, a plate member supported onsaid load cell, said plurality of elongated force transmitting elementseach being connected at one end to said plate member, and meansoperatively connecting the other ends of said elements to said loadcarrier, at least portions of said elements being movable relative tosaid plate member as the load carrier moves in said transversedirection.
 4. The load sensing system of claim 1 wherein said forcemember comprises a first plate member supported on said load cell, saidload carrier comprising a second plate member with said first and secondmembers lying in generally parallel spaced planes and which extendgenerally transverse to said load measuring direction, said plurality ofelongated force transmitting elements extending between said first andsecond members, and said means for permitting swinging movement includesmeans interconnecting each of said elements with said first and secondmembers whereby said second member is shiftable in said transversedirection.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said means interconnectingsaid elements with said members comprises pin means on each of saidmembers and apertures in said elements in which said pin means arereceived.
 6. The load sensing system of claim 4 wherein saidtransmitting elements comprise steel cables.
 7. The load sensing systemof claim 4 wherein said transmitting elements comprise elongated rodsfixedly attached to said members, each of said rods having length andthickness such that the rods are relatively readily elasticallydeformable transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof.
 8. The loadsensing system of claim 4 wherein said transmitting elements includeoppositely directed spherical screw points in bearing engagement withsaid members.
 9. The load sensing system of claim 4 wherein one of saidmembers includes means for adjustably varying the distance between saidmembers.
 10. The system of claim 4 and further including a basesupporting said load cell, said second member having a central openingformed therein with said base being positioned in said central opening,said central opening being of a dimension such that the walls thereofare spaced from said base.
 11. The system of claim 4 wherein said secondmember includes a central opening formed therein, said stop means beingpositioned in said opening and spaced from the walls thereof, theclearance defined by the space bEtween said stop means and the walls ofthe opening and the length of said transmission elements being selectedto permit said second member to shift transverse to said load measuringdirection into engagement with said stop means while the transversecomponent of the load transmitted by said elements to said first memberis within a predetermined limit.
 12. The system of claim 4 wherein saidplurality of transmitting elements comprises three elements spacedaround said load cell.
 13. The system of claim 4 wherein saidinterconnecting means comprises a pivotable connection between saidmembers and said elements.
 14. The load sensing system of claim 13wherein said connecting means for said transmitting elements comprisespivotable bearing means.
 15. The load sensing system of claim 4 andfurther including resilient means operatively associated with said loadcarrier and deflectable in said load measuring direction continuously orwhen the loads on said load carrier exceed a predetermined level, andadditional stop means for restricting the range of movement of said loadcarrier in said load measuring direction.
 16. The system of claim 15wherein said load carrier further comprises a load carrying platform andwherein said resilient means is positioned between said second memberand said load carrying platform.
 17. The system of claim 15 wherein saidresilient means is positioned to support said load cell.
 18. The systemof claim 15 wherein said elements include said resilient means.
 19. Aload cell adapter for use in a weighing system of the type having a loadcarrier such as a weigh platform or the like and in which the loadcarrier is supported on a plurality of spaced apart load cells of thetype having a load application point to which loads are applied in aload measuring direction, said adapter comprising; a first memberadapted to engage the load application point of a load cell, a secondmember adapted to be operatively associated with the load carrier, atleast three elongated force transmitting elements each having alongitudinal axis generally parallel to the load measuring direction,means connecting said first member to said force transmitting elements,and means connecting said second member to said force transmittingelements, said force transmitting elements and said connection meansbeing adapted to cooperate to permit movement of said force transmittingelements and one of said members relative to the other member in adirection generally transverse to the load measuring direction wherebythe load cell adapter associated with a load cell in a weighing systemis operative to permit shifting movement of the load carrier transverseto the load measuring direction without imposing harmful side loads onthe load cell and to automatically return the load carrier to a centeredposition.
 20. A load sensing system comprising, base means, a loadcarrier, a plurality of load cells supported on said base means and eachbeing operative to sense loads applied in a load measuring direction,and adapter means associated with each of said load cells and supportingsaid load carrier on said load cells, each of said adapter meansincluding: a first member in engagement with said load cell, a secondmember spaced in the measuring direction from said first member andlying in a plane generally parallel to said first member, a plurality ofelongated force transmitting elements connected to said members with thelongitudinal axis of each of said force transmitting elements beinggenerally parallel to said loading measuring direction, the engagementwith said load cell and the connection with said force transmittingelements providing the sole support for said first member, said forcetransmitting elements being operative to permit swinging movement of oneof said members relative to the other of said members while maintainingthe generally parallel relationship of saiD members whereby said loadcarrier may move in directions generally transverse to said loadmeasuring direction as transverse forces are applied to said loadcarrier without imposing harmful side loads on said load cell with saidadapter means being operative to automatically return said load carrierto be centered weighing position when the transverse forces acting onsaid load carrier disappear.
 21. A load sensing system of the typehaving a generally horizontally positioned load carrier adapted forsupporting loads for weighing thereon, base means and a plurality ofload sensing means supporting said load carrier at a plurality of spacedlocations on said base means and operative to sense the loads on saidcarrier, the improvement comprising: each of said load sensing meansincluding: a load cell supported on said base means operative to senseloads applied in a vertical load measuring direction; a horizontallyarranged force member resting on said load cell for applying loads tosaid load cell in said load measuring direction, and means operativelyconnecting said force member to said load carrier for transmitting loadson said carrier to said load cell; said connecting means including aplurality of elongated force transmitting elements each having alongitudinal axis generally parallel to said measuring direction andswingable relative to said load cell while maintaining the horizontalorientation of said force member whereby movements of said load carrierunder forces acting transverse to said load measuring direction causesaid force transmitting elements to swing relative to said load cellwithout imposing harmful side loads on said load cell with said forcetransmitting elements being operative to return said load carrier to acentered position when said forces disappear.
 22. The load sensingsystem of claim 21 wherein said connecting means further includes asecond generally horizontal force member spaced from said firstmentioned force member, and pivotable connections between each of saidforce transmitting elements and said force members.